#793 1689 Confession Baptism and the Lord's Supper

28:1 Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution. They are appointed by the Lord Jesus the only lawgiver and are to be continued in His church to the end of the age. 

…18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”… Matthew 28: 18-20

…25 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.… 1 Corinthians 11: 25-27

In an unworthy manner

28:2 These holy appointments are to be administered only by those who are qualified and called to administer them, according to the commission of Christ.

1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.… 1 Corinthians 4: 1-2

I believe that baptism is for believers, those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and repent of their sin. It is not to make believers, but rather a sign and public confession of the faith.

The Lord's supper is also for believers in remembrance and proclamation of Christ's death. It is a time of serious reflection, confession and commitment to follow all that He has taught. No one is saved by these ordinances, but they remind us of the way in which we were saved through the life and death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.